Embark on an epic journey with the "Goliath Expedition", the astounding saga of Karl Bushby, a British ex-paratrooper who, since 1998, has been on a singular mission: to be the first person to walk an unbroken path around the world. This isn't just a walk; it's a monumental trek spanning over 36,000 miles (58,000 km) from Punta Arenas, Chile, all the way back to his hometown of Hull, England.

Originally anticipated to take eight to twelve years, Bushby's odyssey has now stretched for over 26 years. This podcast chronicles the incredible challenges, unexpected detours, and unwavering determination that have defined his unparalleled expedition.

Join us as we follow Karl Bushby's incredible journey, a testament to human spirit, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of an impossible dream, as he now makes his final push through Europe towards the UK. He crossed the Bosphorus into Europe in May 2025 and is currently in Mexico awaiting a Turkish visa to re-enter Europe and complete his trek, aiming for September 2026.

Works Cited

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• bpnaughton. “Where is Karl Bushby 2025?” On The Go Solo, 13 June 2025. Accessed 25 July 2024.
• Bushby, Karl. Giant Steps. Sphere, 2007.
• Frykman, P.N., E.A. Harman, J.F. Patton, P.K. Opstad, R.W. Hoyt, J.P. DeLany, and K.E. Friedl. Effects of a World Record Unsupported Ski Trek Across Greenland (The G2 Expedition) on Physical Performance and Body Composition. US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical Report T02-1, Aug. 2001.
• “Karl Bushby.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Accessed 25 July 2024.
• Legacy Storytime. “The Man Who Walked Around the World The Story of Karl Bushby.” YouTube, n.d. Accessed 25 July 2024.
• McPhee, Rebecca. “Karl Bushby Begins Home Stretch of 27-Year, Round-the-World Walk.” Explorersweb, 28 Apr. 2025. Accessed 25 July 2024.
• Moss, Tim. “How to Actually Plan an Expedition.” The Next Challenge, 4 Aug. 2016. Accessed 25 July 2024.
• pablo_pick_ass_ohhh. “TIL Karl Bushby - a British ex-paratrooper - set out to walk around the world in 1998. He's currently at the Iranian border.” Reddit, r/todayilearned, 2022. Accessed 25 July 2024.
• “What’s Your Gear?: Kark Bushby, Global Trekking.” Out There Outdoors, 1 Mar. 2008. Accessed 25 July 2024.
• WestBound Horizons. Squarespace, n.d. Accessed 25 July 2024.